After several years in the making, the Orange Phase AD3 is finally here. Using an Orange eBike chassis, the Phase AD3 is designed as a go-anywhere adaptive mountain bike for riders who are unable to use traditional 'two-wheeled' bikes.

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The Orange Phase AD3 is the brainchild of Orange engineer Alex Desmond and former EWS racer Lorraine Truong. For those not familiar with Lorraine's story, the former XC, enduro and downhill pro suffered several concussions through her racing career, leaving her with a permanent injury. Lorraine now lives with severe headaches, debilitating fatigue, nausea and paresis - a form of "soft paralysis". Together, Alex and Lorraine worked on the Phase AD3 prototype. 

orange bikes phase AD3 adaptive mountain bike 2021 03.jpg, by Jessica Strange

Lorraine says, "what's amazing with this design is that it's not only adaptable for different disabilities, but it also opens up having an adaptive bike for different disciplines. The Phase AD3 means you'll be able to get the actual bike you want as a biker, not only as an adaptive biker".

Built within the specialist prototype division, Strange, the Phase AD3 is an adaptive eMTB that can climb tech trails, rail berms and navigate challenging off-camber trails. Made to be ridden for the bike park, the singletracks and the big mountain days, there's nothing that the Phase AD3 can't overcome.

orange bikes phase AD3 adaptive mountain bike 2021 04.jpg, by Jessica Strange

Using an Orange Phase chassis, the Phase AD3 introduces a pair of cantilever linkage arms to join two additional head tubes. There's then a second steering linkage element connecting two suspension forks to the original steering head tube.

The rider sits in a bucket seat to give them core stability while balancing the bike with their upper body. The bike is powered by a Paradox eBike motor which can be set up with a throttle or conventional pedal-assist as required.

orange phase ad3 2021 .jpg, by Jessica Strange

The Orange Phase AD3 is built around 175mm of suspension travel, and because of the actuation, the front-end system reduces suspension input to the rider by 50%. This actuation means one of the front wheels on Lorraine's bike can clear obstacles up to 345mm, enough to stop most conventional bikes in their tracks.

orange bikes phase AD3 adaptive mountain bike 2021.jpg, by Jessica Strange

"The whole purpose of the Phase AD3 is to provide a bike that allows adaptive athletes to push the boundaries of their riding abilities without being restricted by the bike," Alex told us.

• Find out more about the Orange Phase AD3 here